2018 SUBARU WRX Owners Manual

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Electronic Brake Force Dis-
tribution (EBD) systemThe EBD system maximizes the effective-
ness of the brakes by allowing the rear
brakes to supply a greater proportion of the
braking force. It functions by adjusting the
distribution of braking force to the rear
wheels in accordance with the vehicle’s
loading condition and speed.
The EBD system is an integral part of the
ABS and uses some of the ABS compo-
nents to perform its function of optimizing
the distribution of braking force. If any of
the ABS components used by the EBD
system malfunction, the EBD system also
stops working.
When the EBD system is operating, you
may hear a chattering noise or feel a slight
vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal
and does not indicate a malfunction.
&Steps to take if EBD system
malfunctionsBrake and ABS warning lightIf a malfunction occurs in the EBD system,
the system stops working and the brake
system warning light and ABS warning
light illuminate simultaneously.
The EBD system may be malfunctioning if
the brake system warning light and ABS
warning light illuminate simultaneously
while driving.
Even if the EBD system malfunctions, the
conventional braking system will still func-
tion. However, the rear wheels will be more
prone to locking when the brakes are
applied harder than usual and the vehicle’s
motion may therefore become somewhat
harder to control.If the brake system warning light and ABS
warning light illuminate simultaneously,
take the following steps.
1. Stop the vehicle in the nearest safe, flat
location.
2. Apply the parking brake and turn off the
engine.
3. Restart the engine.
4. Release the parking brake.
Even if both warning lights turn off:
The EBD system may be malfunctioning.
Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU
dealer and have the system inspected.
If both warning lights illuminate again
and remain illuminated after restarting
the engine:
1. Turn off the engine again.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Check the brake fluid level. For details
about checking the brake fluid level, refer
to“Checking the fluid level”F11-24.
.If the brake fluid level is not below the
“MIN”mark, the EBD system may be
malfunctioning. Drive carefully to the
nearest SUBARU dealer and have the
system inspected.
.If the brake fluid level is below the“MIN”
mark, DO NOT drive the vehicle. Instead,
have the vehicle towed to the nearest
Starting and operating/Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system
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SUBARU dealer for repair.
WARNING
.Driving with the brake system
warning light illuminated is dan-
gerous. This indicates your brake
system may not be working prop-
erly. If the light remains illumi-
nated, have the brakes inspected
by a SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately.
.If at all in doubt about whether the
brakes are operating properly, do
not drive the vehicle. Have your
vehicle towed to the nearest
SUBARU dealer for repair.
Vehicle Dynamics Control
system
WARNING
Always use the utmost care in driv-
ing–overconfidence because you
are driving a vehicle with the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system could ea-
sily lead to a serious accident.
CAUTION
.Even if your vehicle is equipped
with Vehicle Dynamics Control
system, winter tires should be
used when driving on snow-cov-
ered or icy roads; in addition,
vehicle speed should be reduced
considerably. Simply having a
Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem does not guarantee that the
vehicle will be able to avoid
accidents in any situation.
.Activation of the Vehicle Dy-
namics Control system is an
indication that the road being
travelled on has a slippery sur-
face; since having Vehicle Dy-
namics Control is no guaranteethat full vehicle control will be
maintained at all times and under
all conditions, its activation
should be seen as a sign that
the speed of the vehicle should
be reduced considerably.
.Whenever suspension compo-
nents, steering components, or
an axle are removed from a
vehicle, have an inspection of
that system performed by an
authorized SUBARU dealer.
.Observe the following precau-
tions in order to ensure that the
Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem is operating properly:
–Fit all four wheels with tires of
the same size, type, and
brand. Furthermore, the
amount of wear should be the
same for all four tires.
–Keep the tire pressure at the
proper level as shown on the
vehicle placard attached to
the driver’s side door pillar.
–Use only the specified tempor-
ary spare tire to replace a flat
tire. With a temporary spare
tire, the effectiveness of the
Vehicle Dynamics Control
system is reduced and this
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Starting and operating/Vehicle Dynamics Control system
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should be taken into account
when driving the vehicle in
such a condition.
.If you use non-matching tires, the
Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem may not operate correctly.
.The Vehicle Dynamics Control
system helps prevent unstable
vehicle motion such as skidding
using control of the brakes and
engine power. Do not turn off the
Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem unless it is absolutely neces-
sary. If you must turn off the
Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem, drive very carefully accord-
ing to the road surface condition.
In the event of wheelspin and/or skidding
on a slippery road surface and/or during
cornering and/or an evasive maneuver,
the Vehicle Dynamics Control system
adjusts the engine’s output and the
wheels’respective braking forces to help
maintain traction and directional control.
.Traction Control Function
The traction control function is designed to
prevent spinning of the driving wheels on
slippery road surfaces, thereby helping to
maintain traction and directional control.
Activation of this function is shown byflashing the Vehicle Dynamics Control
operation indicator light.
.Skid Suppression Function
The skid suppression function is designed
to help maintain directional stability by
suppressing the wheels’tendency to slide
sideways during steering operations. Acti-
vation of this function is shown by flashing
of the Vehicle Dynamics Control operation
indicator light.
Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indi-
cator lightNOTE.The Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem may be considered normal when
the following conditions occur.
–Slight twitching of the brakepedal is felt.
–The vehicle or steering wheel
shakes to a small degree.
–An operating sound from the
engine compartment is heard briefly
when starting the engine and when
driving off after starting the engine.
–The brake pedal seems to jolt
when driving off after starting the
engine.
.In the circumstances shown in the
following list, the vehicle may be less
stable than it feels to the driver. The
Vehicle Dynamics Control System may
therefore operate. Such operation does
not indicate a system malfunction.
–on gravel-covered or rutted roads
–on unfinished roads
–when the vehicle is fitted with
snow tires or winter tires
.Activation of the Vehicle Dynamics
Control system will cause operation of
the steering wheelto feel slightly
different compared to that for normal
conditions.
.It is always important to reduce
speed when approaching a corner,
even if your vehicle is equipped with
the Vehicle Dynamics Control system.
.Always turn off the engine before
replacing a tire. Failure to do so may
render the Vehicle Dynamics Control
Starting and operating/Vehicle Dynamics Control system
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system unable to operate correctly.&Vehicle Dynamics Control
system monitorRefer to“Vehicle Dynamics Control warn-
ing light/Vehicle Dynamics Control opera-
tion indicator light”F3-26 and“Vehicle
Dynamics Control OFF indicator light/
Traction mode indicator light /”F3-27.&Vehicle Dynamics Control
OFF switch1) Traction mode indicator light
2) Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator
light
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switchWhen you press the switch briefly or for
more than approximately 2 seconds during
engine operation, the mode of the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system will be changed.
!Vehicle Dynamics Control mode
When the ignition switch is on, this mode is
selected first.
This mode enables all controls for ABS,
the Traction Control System, and the
Vehicle Dynamics Control system. Select
this mode for most driving situations.
When this mode is selected, both indicator
lights on the combination meter turn off.!Traction mode
This mode restricts the functions of the
Traction Control System and Vehicle Dy-
namics Control system and thus delays
utilizing their functions as a reaction to
vehicle behavior in comparison with the
Vehicle Dynamics Control mode. Use this
mode in driving situations where the
vehicle dynamic performance will improve
without decreasing engine torque control.
When you press the switch briefly during
engine operation, the traction mode in-
dicator light and the Vehicle Dynamics
Control OFF indicator light on the combi-
nation meter illuminate. When you press
the switch again to reactivate the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system, the traction
mode indicator light and the Vehicle
Dynamics Control OFF indicator light turn
off.
!Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF
mode
This mode allows only the ABS control.
When you press the switch for more than
approximately 2 seconds during engine
operation, the Vehicle Dynamics Control
OFF indicator light on the combination
meter illuminates. When you press the
switch again to reactivate the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system, the Vehicle
Dynamics Control OFF indicator light turns
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off.
Creating an adequate driving wheel slip by
deactivating the Vehicle Dynamics Control
system temporarily may help to escape
from the following situations. Use the
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF mode as
necessary.
.a standing start on a steeply sloping
road with a snowy, gravel-covered, or
otherwise slippery surface
.extrication of the vehicle when its
wheels are stuck in mud or deep snow
You should not deactivate the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system except under
the above-mentioned situations.NOTE.If you turn the ignition switch to the
“LOCK”/“OFF”position with the Vehi-
cle Dynamics Control system deacti-
vated, the system will be automatically
reactivated the next time the engine is
started.
.If you press and hold the switch for
30 seconds or longer, the Vehicle
Dynamics Control OFF indicator light
turns off, the Vehicle Dynamics Control
system is activated, and the system
ignores any further pressing of the
switch. To make the switch usable
again, turn the ignition switch to the“LOCK”/“OFF”position and restart the
engine.
.When the Vehicle Dynamics Control
OFF mode is selected, the vehicle’s
running performance is comparable
with that of a vehicle that does not have
a Vehicle Dynamics Control system. Do
not deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics
Control system except when absolutely
necessary.
.Even when the Vehicle Dynamics
Control OFF mode is selected, compo-
nents of the brake control system may
still activate. When the brake control
system is activated, the Vehicle Dy-
namics Control operation indicator
light illuminates.
Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) (U.S.-spec.
models)Low tire pressure warning lightThe tire pressure monitoring system pro-
vides the driver with a warning message by
sending a signal from a sensor that is
installed in each wheel when tire pressure
is severely low.
The tire pressure monitoring system will
activate only when the vehicle is driven at
speeds above 20 mph (32 km/h). Also, this
system may not react immediately to a
sudden drop in tire pressure (for example,
a blow-out caused by running over a sharp
object).
Starting and operating/Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (U.S.-spec. models)
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WARNING
.If the low tire pressure warning
light illuminates while driving,
never brake suddenly. Instead,
perform the following procedure.
Otherwise, an accident involving
serious vehicle damage and ser-
ious personal injury could occur.
(1) Keep driving straight ahead
while gradually reducing
speed.
(2) Slowly pull off the road to a
safe place.
(3) Check the pressure for all four
tires and adjust the pressure
to the COLD tire pressure
shown on the vehicle placard
on the door pillar on the
driver’s side.
Even when the vehicle is driven a
very short distance, the tires get
warm and their pressures in-
crease accordingly. Be sure to
let the tires cool thoroughly be-
fore adjusting their pressures to
the standard values shown on the
tire placard. Refer to“Tires and
wheels”F11-30. The tire pres-
sure monitoring system does not
function when the vehicle is sta-tionary. After adjusting the tire
pressures, increase the vehicle
speed to at least 20 mph (32 km/h)
to start the TPMS rechecking of
the tire inflation pressures. If the
tire pressures are now above the
severe low pressure threshold,
the low tire pressure warning
light should turn off a few min-
utes later.
If this light still illuminates while
driving after adjusting the tire
pressure, a tire may have signifi-
cant damage and a fast leak that
causes the tire to lose air rapidly.
If you have a flat tire, refer to“Flat
tires”F9-5.
.When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel rim is replaced without the
original pressure sensor/trans-
mitter being transferred, the low
tire pressure warning light will
illuminate steadily after blinking
for approximately one minute.
This indicates the TPMS is unable
to monitor all four road wheels.
Contact your SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible for tire and
sensor replacement and/or sys-
tem resetting.
.When a tire is repaired with liquid
sealant, the tire pressure warningvalve and transmitter may not
operate properly. If a liquid sea-
lant is used, contact your nearest
SUBARU dealer or other qualified
service shop as soon as possi-
ble. Make sure to replace the tire
pressure warning valve and
transmitter when replacing the
tire. You may reuse the wheel if
there is no damage to it and if the
sealant residue is properly
cleaned off. Do not inject any tire
liquid or aerosol tire sealant into
the tires, as this may cause a
malfunction of the tire pressure
sensors. If the light illuminates
steadily after blinking for ap-
proximately one minute,
promptly contact a SUBARU
dealer to have the system in-
spected.
CAUTION
Do not place metal film or any metal
parts in the trunk. This may cause
poor reception of the signals from
the tire pressure sensors, and the
tire pressure monitoring system will
not function properly.
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Starting and operating/Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (U.S.-spec. models)
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NOTEThis device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This de-
vice may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
FCC CAUTION
Changes or modifications not ex-
pressly approved by the party respon-
sible for compliance could void the
user’s authority to operate the equip-
ment.
Parking your vehicle
WARNING
.Never leave unattended children
or pets in the vehicle. They could
accidentally injure themselves or
others through inadvertent op-
eration of the vehicle. Also, on
hot or sunny days, the tempera-
ture in a closed vehicle could
quickly become high enough to
cause severe or possibly fatal
injuries to them.
.Do not park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags, as
they may burn easily if they come
near hot engine or exhaust sys-
tem parts.
.Be sure to stop the engine if you
take a nap in the vehicle. If engine
exhaust gas enters the passen-
ger compartment, occupants in
the vehicle could die from carbon
monoxide (CO) contained in the
exhaust gas.
CAUTION
TYPE RA: When parking the vehicle,
be careful not to contact a wheel
stop, etc. Doing so may damage the
bumpers, underside of the vehicle,
etc.&Parking brake (models with-
out electronic parking brake
system)To set the parking brake, depress the
brake pedal firmly and hold it down until
the parking brake lever is fully pulled up.To release the parking brake, perform the
following procedure.
1. Pull the lever up slightly.
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2. Press the release button.
3. Lower the lever while keeping the
button pressed.
When the parking brake is set while the
engine is running, the parking brake
warning light illuminates. Be sure that the
warning light is turned off before driving off.
Refer to“Parking brake indicator (models
without electronic parking brake system)”
F3-21.
CAUTION
Never drive while the parking brake
is set because this will cause un-
necessary wear on the brake linings.
Make sure that the parking brake has
been fully released before driving
off.
&Electronic parking brake
(models with electronic park-
ing brake system)1) Parking brake switch
2) Indicator light
3) Release the electronic parking brake
4) Apply the electronic parking brake
WARNING
.Before exiting the vehicle, make
sure that you turn off the engine.
Otherwise, the parking brake may
be released and an accident may
occur.
.If the brake system warning light
turns on, the electronic parking
brake system may be malfunc-
tioning. Immediately stop yourvehicle in a safe location, use tire
stops under the tires to prevent
the vehicle from moving and
contact your SUBARU dealer.
.If you operate the electronic park-
ing brake when the brake is over-
heated or the vehicle is on a steep
slope, the electronic parking
brake indicator light may flash.
In this case, the vehicle may start
to move and it may lead to an
accident. Always use the tire
stops.
CAUTION
.When the electronic parking
brake system has a malfunction
and the parking brake cannot be
applied, contact your SUBARU
dealer immediately for an inspec-
tion. If you have to park your
vehicle in such conditions, per-
form the following procedure.
–Stop your vehicle in a flat
location.
–Shift the select lever in the“P”
position. When the select le-
ver cannot be shifted into the
“P”position, you must release
shift lock. Refer to“Shift lock
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Starting and operating/Parking your vehicle
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